By Kristin Nelson, Michigan Council of Trout Unlimited Monitoring Specialist, Huron Pines AmeriCorps

There is a new hands-on volunteer opportunity for TU members.  The Michigan Council of Trout Unlimited (MCTU) is starting a volunteer data collection program, developed and implemented by MCTU’s monitoring specialist and Huron Pines AmeriCorps member, Kristin Nelson. 

The volunteer data collection program aims to provide hands-on volunteer opportunities for TU members while providing meaningful data to state agencies including the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).  This data will be available to help agencies improve management of Michigan’s coldwater fisheries.  MCTU has been working closely with the DEQ and DNR to develop acceptable methods for data collection to ensure that collected data will be put to good use. 

Several types of data will be collected during the first year, including temperature, in-stream flow, habitat, river mapping, fisheries stock assessment, and macroinvertebrate and water quality data.  Protocols are also being developed for creel and economic valuation surveys.  During the first year of collection each type of data will be piloted with one or two chapters.

The Mason-Griffith Founders Chapter will be creating river maps.  To prioritize restoration and conservation within a watershed we first need to take a comprehensive look at that watershed.  River mapping will involve collecting data and placing it on a map.  These maps will then be used to prioritize conservation and restoration efforts.  Examples of types of data that will be collected include bottom substrate, bank vegetation, available fish cover, width, depth, and bedform delineation (run, riffle, or pool).  We will be collaborating with Huron Pines and the DNR to finalize the types of data to be collected.

River mapping will involve floating or walking down a designated stretch of river making measurements and drawing them on a map.  In the future maps will be digitized and shared with partners and the public.  Volunteers will be needed to make these measurements and create maps of river reaches.  Our plan for this year is to focus our efforts on the upper ManisteeRiver.  Focusing on the upper Manistee River will allow us to coordinate with a restoration donation that is to be used in the Deward area of the upper Manistee.

If you are interested in volunteering to help create river maps or would like more information please contact Kristin Nelson or visit www.masongriffithtu.org.